About | TWRI

The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) has helped solve Texas’ water issues through research, education and outreach for 72 years.

Established in 1952, TWRI became the state’s official water resources institute in 1964. Today, we are one of 54 institutes within the National Institutes for Water Resources, supported by the U.S. Geological Survey. We are a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M.

We provide science-based, community-supported solutions for the state’s pressing water quantity and quality challenges through internal expertise and external collaborations.

Engaging with local stakeholders and the water resources community in Texas, we provide:

project development and management
stakeholder engagement
watershed and aquifer assessment and planning
bacterial source tracking
water conservation research
geospatial analysis
professional training
public outreach

We connect research teams and communities to multidisciplinary expertise by serving as a gateway to a national network of water institutes, the Texas A&M University System and other universities and water resources organizations.

We collaborate with all Texas A&M System units engaged in water resources research and outreach, maintaining strong collaborations with the Texas A&M College of Engineering, the Water Management and Hydrological Science Program in the College of Geosciences, the Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy in the Bush School of Government and Public Service and the Texas A&M Law School in Fort Worth. Learn more about the institute.

WHAT WE DO

Restoring & Protecting

Our Water Quality Improvement Program works with stakeholders to use sound science and public participation to not only restore impaired water bodies but also proactively protect unimpaired watersheds across Texas, while also protecting human health. Learn more about this program.

Sustaining & Enhancing

Our Water Sustainability Program centers on increasing the value and the smarter use of municipal, industrial and agricultural water supplies to meet the increasing demand from Texas’ growing population. Learn more about this program.

Engaging & Educating

Our Water Resources Outreach and Training Program serves interested citizens, students and water professionals to enhance their understanding of critical water issues and management practices. Learn more about this program.

2023 Annual Report

In our 2023 Annual Report, learn how we are making every drop count in Texas and beyond.

Previous Annual Reports

Our History

Sept. 27, 1952: Water Research and Information Center was established by Texas A&M College Board of Directors Minute Order 163-52.

1955: Annual Water for Texas conference was initiated.

Nov. 27, 1963: The Water Research and Information Center renamed the Water Resources Institute.

Jan. 1, 1964-1968: The Water Resources Institute formally established.

1964-1968: Dr. Ernest T. Smerdon served as director.

Aug. 13, 1964: Gov. John Connally designated Texas A&M University as the land grant institution in Texas for the Water Resources Institute.

April 27, 1971: The Water Resources Institute of Texas A&M University was renamed the Texas Water Resources Institute by the Board.

1968-1983: Dr. Jack R. Runkles served as director.

1983-2000: Dr. Wayne Jordan served as director.

2000-2008: Dr. C. Allan Jones served as director.

2009-2011: Dr. B.L. Harris served as acting director.

2011-2012: Dr. Neal Wilkins served as director along with director of the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources.

2012-2015: Dr. Roel Lopez served as interim director of TWRI along with director of the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources.

2015-2022: Dr. John C. Tracy served as director.

2022-2024: Dr. Allen Berthold served as interim director.

2024-present: Dr. Giovanni Piccinni serves as director.